'Skywalk sweethearts' star in West Michigan marriage proposal video

GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- While they don't call themselves the "skywalk sweethearts" I thought the name might stick after watching the video of Mark VanDyke's marriage proposal to his now fiance Kelly VanSickle.

After all, he does take his sweetheart through the skywalks of downtown Grand Rapids 'randomly' meeting friends and family along the way to VanDyke dropping to a knee and asking for VanSickle's hand in marriage.

I caught up with the couple while they were being interviewed by MLive's John Gonzalez on his daily "Going Gonzo" radio program on 1340 WJRW.

Mark Van Dyke works as an Emergency Preparedness Coordinator for Spectrum Health while Kelly VanSickle is a social worker for Kentwood Public Schools. She is also a competitive cheer coach for Crestwood Middle School in Kentwood. Those cheerleaders you see in the video are her students.

You can hear the interview here...

Going Gonzo - Mark and Kelly Proposal

The proposal took place on Saturday, Jan. 12 at Calder Plaza where VanDyke first convinced VanSickle to go out on a date with him.

VanSickle said: "He (VanDyke) should win a trophy for guys who have been dealt the 'friend card'" as the two were friends for 5 years before she decided to see him romantically.

Kelly VanSickle and Mark VanDykeCourtesy Photo

VanDyke went so far as to stage a fake camera crew that was supposedly working for the Grand Rapids Griffins who asked to put microphones on both of them and film them walking downtown. The crew was actually from a local company called Bradley Productions, which was also responsible for the LipDub Proposal video between another couple that received national attention on Good Morning America.

While VanSickle said she "knew he was going to propose as soon as the mic'd me," she had no idea as to what extent VanDyke had gone to plan this elaborate proposal.

VanDyke had even previously told her that he had to meet some friends to look at drywall and was gone for three hours. VanSickle had no idea that he was taking that time to rehearse what you see in the video.

With a wink, I asked how it felt to be marrying a man who can convincingly lie to her face. VanSickle laughed and said, "If he says he's doing anything else with drywall, I'll know it's not true."

A screenshot of the video where Mark VanDyke proposes to Kelly VanSickleCourtesy Photo | bradleyproductions.com

If you have a soft spot for the romantic, this video is for you. Weeks of planning and even rehearsals were all put into place before the big moment where Kelly said "yes".

The video includes Kelly's cheerleaders, her pastor, and friends and family who all took time out of their lives to help Mark and Kelly start their life together. The couple plans to marry in June 2013.